Mary Anne here. So I guess it seems I’m in splurge-mode these days, while my dutiful daughter has been shopping her market’s sale shelves. That being said, I do have a pretty good excuse for this pricey dish: I was serving my Osso Bucco to very special guests (Mariel, my niece, and their respective husbands!).[…]
Soy-Glazed Black Sesame Shrimp with Soba Noodles
Mariel here. Notice anything different around here? A little more color maybe? Some fancy new fonts? An entirely new design? You better, we just sunk a decent-size chunk of change into refreshing our beloved Feast on the Cheap. It’s official, we’re coming for you Contessa, hold on to your macramé Martha, and Paula, you’re fine[…]
Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup
Mariel here. As I mentioned in a previous post, I spent the first few weeks of January house-sitting for a family member who owns a lovely little plot in a scenic beach community outside of the city. The off-season is quiet – dead quiet – which afforded me more than enough time to get my[…]
Sweet and Smoky Roasted Tomato Soup
Mariel here. When I was growing up, tomato soup fell into the same category as mayo, cottage cheese and green olives – totally vile. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how people happily dug into such heinous food crimes. My mother – a lifelong fan of all of the above – was particularly[…]
Leek and Potato Soup with Roasted Pears
Mary Anne here. Okay, I must confess, we’re on a pear tear here at Feast on the Cheap. Having discovered that pears enhance everything from soup to Cinnamon Pear Coffee Cake, we just can’t get enough of this seasonal fruit. Pears add a certain je ne sais quoi to all manner of recipes, so I[…]
Acorn Squash and Pear Soup
Mary Anne here. Wandering the aisles of my local market, I noticed that pears were finally out in full force…and were conveniently nestled beside a display of the most beautiful green acorn squash I’ve ever laid eyes upon. Right there in the supermarket, I began conjuring up a soup that wed these disparate beauties and[…]
Creamy Butternut Squash Polenta with Fresh Parmesan
Mariel here. This was my very first stab at polenta. Like risotto, I assumed polenta required more finesse, patience and energy than I had on any given Tuesday. As it turns out, I was wrong. Polenta practically makes itself. This recipe requires the bare minimum in the effort department and it’s a delightful stand-in if[…]
French Onion Soup
Mary Anne here. This recipe was created for my youngest son Christopher. Despite his youth, he’s become somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to French Onion Soup…and I mean connoisseur in the sense that he’s tried every variety out there. He’s eaten the weakest, saltiest, rubber-cheesiest charlatans, but so strong is his love for[…]
Portabella Mushroom Risotto with Fresh Thyme
Mariel here. I hadn’t made risotto in a dog’s age and since a recent trip to Costco left my fridge stocked with more ‘shrooms than a Phish concert, I figured it was high time to put them to use. My husband happens to be a huge fan of portabellas – and rice…and pasta…and butter –[…]
Crab Louis Salad Over Avocado
Mary Anne here. This delectable Crab Louis was created on an Indian summer day when the thermometer topped out at a sultry 89 degrees. I had purchased a pound of lump crab meat on sale at my local grocer’s and decided this salad would be the perfect salute to summer’s last gasp. While this is[…]
Cool Corn Soup Topped with Roasted Corn Salad
Mary Anne here. Corn – the sweet cream of summer’s crop – has been a steady muse this August. Luscious and versatile, this soup can be served cold, at room temperature, or toasty warm when fall’s chill finally takes hold. If you do serve this warm, I suggest dishing it up alongside grilled sausages sautéed[…]
Mint Pesto Chicken with a Watermelon Avocado Salad
Mariel here. You can file this recipe under “I have a bag of frozen chicken breasts from Costco and I’m already bored to tears.” Born from a previous night’s leftovers – in this case Watermelon Bites with Cilantro-Mint Pesto – this snappy little dish is deceptively easy given its vibrant presentation and its perky, sweet-and-salty[…]
Mango Gazpacho Topped with Crab and Avocado
Mary Anne here. This summertime sauna doesn’t appear to be wafting away from the Northeast anytime soon…and slaving over a hot stove has never been so unappealing. I’ve been subsisting on a steady diet of ice cubes and frozen sorbet, but sadly, while my over-heated brain craves cold empty calories, my body tells me it’s[…]
White Beans with Fresh Basil, Prosciutto and Sundried Tomatoes
Mariel here. Calling all lazy boys and loafers: the following recipe is easy, crazy easy. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s foolproof. Fresh, vibrant and deliciously simple, this Mediterranean dish doesn’t need a heavy, complex dressing since it incorporates a variety of flavors that are quite bold individually. In my opinion,[…]
Crab and Corn Soup
Mariel here. I’ve noticed a trend recently on our site: my mom and I seem to be having a small love affair with soup. Never one to forgo a fad, I decided to add to our online arsenal and post my mother’s super delicious crab soup, even though it’s not the most traditional winter dish.[…]
Fig & Olive Pizzettes
Mary Anne here. A couple of weeks ago, we enjoyed one of those perfect autumn days – the sun high enough in the sky to remind us that summer is still close at hand, while the air had that first little nip of fall. Mariel had just returned from her honeymoon, her own glow a[…]
Roasted Beets with Pears and Feta
Mariel here. I love beets. Roasted, pickled, spicy, sweet or salted, I order beets whenever possible – I’m predictable that way. I haven’t, however, ever made beets at home. They look weird in the grocery store, like they’d be impossible to cook and require some sort of ancient skill (I feel the same way about[…]
Asparagus Soup with Jalapeno
Mary Anne here. Last month, following our cooking demo at Bloomingdale’s in White Plains, I wrote a piece about “Stalking the Perfect Asparagus Spear.” I promised that an Asparagus Soup would follow, so with tremendous pleasure (and a dash of humility), I present my hot-off-the-stove rendition of a classic favorite! Basic Tips for the Spears:[…]
Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
Mary Anne here. This soup can be prepared several days in advance. It also freezes well for about a month. A dollop of sour cream or Crème fraiche with some snipped chives is a pretty garnish. You’ll need a large roasting pan for the first steps of this recipe. Alternatively, if your wallet is thinning[…]